Slurping Around with P.D.W. October 2013
Hi all--Interesting wines this time, and from all over.
White wines
2012 VinTJS Sauvignon Blanc Knights Valley $8.
New Zealand this is not, but for the price this is not too bad. Nose is of citrus and melon, with some tropical elements too. The palate has obvious richness, again with lemon and melon. It is almost clean (just a hint of wet wool), with excellent acidity and good length. Knights Valley is a good appellation, and Trader Joe’s label means it should be available.
2012 Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand, $8.
NZ this is. It is intense, varietal and herbaceous with gooseberry and some asparagus. Rich with medium acid, it is very tasty, although for some too ripe and asparagussy (is that a word?) But at $8 when most NZSB’s are $12-$15.
2011 Picpoul de Pinet, caves de Pomerol, Hugues, France $8.
This is one of very few cheap French wines I like. It has forward tropical fruit, with some citrus and toast. The palate is more citric than tropical, with good acid. It is a bit generic, but refreshing served cold on a hot evening.
2012 Tangent Albarino, Edna Valley $12.
This Spanish varietal is a favorite for me when well-made. This rare California example is pretty good for the price, with tropical and citrus fruit on the nose and palate. There is distinct cashew nut as well--unusual. There is slight green olive, and very nice crispness from the acidity.
2012 Elk Cove Pinot Gris $15.
A nice nose of stone fruit and citrus with a rich smooth and clean palate. Good acidity and length. Sadly, the price has gone up, and compared to last year’s vintage, which was truly outstanding, this one is just good.
Red wines
2010 Bogle “Essential Red” California $8.
I have been and remain a Bogle fan. Great, great value. Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah. This is clean, forward, rich and red, juicy ripe, slightly sweet, easy drinking, not tannic, and great with anything grilled. There is some dry herb, vanilla, loads of red berry fruit. A bit simple, but tasty. Drink it young.
2012 Hahn GSM Central Coast $9.
I have been and remain a Hahn fan. Great, great value. Grenache (67%, Syrah 28% and Mourvedre 5%). This is clean, forward, rich and tasty, with dark plums dominant and a fair dose of dry sage on the nose and palate, the latter possibly being a little too strong. But it does make it interesting. Tannins are soft, acidity moderately high, it is lush, spicy and forward and ripe but not sweet. Drink it young. (My self-plagiarism from the Bogle is intentional).
2010 Columbia Crest Red Wine “Les Chevaux” Horse Heaven Hills, Washington State $12.
I have been and remain a Horse Heaven Hills fan. Great, great value. They come out with several varietals under this Columbia Crest sub-label, and they have been uniformly excellent. The grapes for this wine are not revealed, but seem Rhone-ish mostly but likely blended with Cabernet and/or Merlot. Rich, structured, medium tannins and acidity, not overdone or too ripe, not sweet, just rich and smooth. This one could be kept a few years, but why when it tastes so good now?
2009 Foppiano Petite Sirah, Russian River Valley $14.
This wine has a forward blueberry nose with sage, clover, and honey in the background. The palate is very big, with deep dark berry fruit, ripe and almost slight sweetness and some anise. It has excellent balance with good acid and not too strong tannins. Very good length, it tastes younger than its real age. PS used to be all tannin and extract, but the new-age style has focused on flavor and cut the tannins. This one is a great example.
2011 McManis Pinot Noir $8.
This is a steal if you are looking for a crowd-pleasing party wine that boasts “Pinot Noir”. Affordable good Pinot has become hard to find. The nose is serious – cherry, vanilla, oak, spice, and cola. The palate has bright, forward sour cherry fruit, earth, cola, and a touch of coffee and tobacco. It is medium bodied, with moderate acidity and soft tannins.
Enjoy!